Category: Uncategorized

Former Battery player Mike Azira was born in the African country of Uganda before coming to America to attend college. He played for the Battery from 2012-2014, winning a league title in 2012, before playing for the Seattle Sounders and most recently the Colorado Rapids. Despite this, he never forgot where he came from, and has partnered with a charity to benefit Children in his homeland, and you can help too.

The Mengo Children’s Foundation (MCF) helps raise money for food, water and School supplies for orphans and other vulnerable children in Rural Uganda, as well as helping educate those that they serve, (thanks to a school built with prior donations), among other things. Azira, a friend of the foundation, helps with donations, and while playing for the Ugandan National Team, recently donated shoes to the charity for the children it assists.

Local photographer Ross Almers became close friends with Azira during his time with the Battery, and has donated four canvas sized prints for a fundraiser which will benefit the MCF, and starting at $175, the four highest donations will receive one of these four prints. Additionally, those who donate money of any amount will be entered into a draw for one of 20 smaller prints.

The fundraiser began on February 12th and will last until midnight on March 5th.You can find more information on the fundraiser here, where you can also see the prints that have been donated. Please note that all donations are appreciated, and will pay for various things.

We hope that you can donate whatever amount possible to the fundraiser. You can learn more about the charity here.

TOP IMAGE: MICHEAL AZIRA DURING HIS TIME WITH THE BATTERY. HE PLAYED 40 TIMES, SCORING FIVE GOALS, INCLUDING THE WINNER AS THE BATTERY WON THE LEAGUE TITLE IN 2012. PHOTO CREDIT ROSS ALMERS PHOTOGRAPHY